Muffler Valve Pivoting to Eliminate Diameter Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional muffler designs face structural restrictions due to the need for a diameter-expansion part to accommodate a valve, limiting flexibility in design and increasing the size of the outlet pipe and muffler structure.
Innovation Solution
A muffler design featuring a plate-like valve body with a biasing member that applies radial force to occlude the inlet port, allowing the valve to pivot and open when high exhaust gas pressure is reached, eliminating the need for a diameter-expansion part and enabling flexible placement of the inlet port and valve along the outlet pipe's axial direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a diameter-expansion part is disposed to the outlet pipe to accommodate the valve, then the valve can be properly positioned and function, but the size of the outlet pipe structure and consequently the muffler structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is nested inside the outlet pipe, with the valve body having a smaller diameter than the outlet pipe's inner diameter. The axis member is inserted through the outlet pipe wall to pivotally support the valve body, eliminating the need for a diameter-expansion part. This nesting approach allows the valve to be properly positioned and function while maintaining the original outlet pipe dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If the outlet pipe is formed with a diameter-expansion part at the end part to dispose the valve, then the valve can be disposed at the required position, but the structural restrictions increase and design flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to pivot around the axis member, transitioning from a fixed position to a dynamic, adjustable position. The axis member is inserted through the outlet pipe wall at any desired location, allowing the valve to be pivotally supported at various positions along the outlet pipe. This dynamic design eliminates structural restrictions and provides flexibility in disposing the valve at the required position.
3Device complexity
If a tubular diameter-expansion part is added to the outlet pipe structure, then the valve can be accommodated with proper clearance, but the outlet pipe structure becomes more complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet pipe wall acts as a flexible shell that is penetrated by the axis member. Instead of adding a rigid diameter-expansion part, the thin wall structure is utilized to support the pivotally mounted valve body. The axis member passes through the outlet pipe wall, providing clearance and support without altering the overall shape or adding complexity to the outlet pipe structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces structural restrictions, allows for smoother exhaust gas flow, enhances noise reduction across a wide range of rotational frequencies, and prevents the increase in muffler size, while maintaining effective exhaust gas discharge.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member to apply a biasing force in a radial direction of the outlet pipe to the valve body so as to occlude the inlet port
Implementation Method 2
a force larger than the biasing force from the biasing member is applied to the valve body to drive the valve body towards the inside of the outlet pipe and the valve is consequently opened
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a muffler comprising: an outer shell; an outlet pipe, which is formed into a tubular shape containing a pair of open end-parts and is comprising an inlet port, wherein one of the open end-parts and the inlet port are arranged inside the outer shell; a valve body formed into a plate-like shape to cover the inlet port from the inside of the outlet pipe; an axis member that pivotally supports the valve body to the outlet pipe so that the valve body pivots inside the outlet pipe; and a biasing member that applies a biasing force in the radial direction of the outlet pipe to the valve body so as to occlude the inlet port.